Alabama in my opinion (I'm originally from Alabama) is one of the worst due to 3 year redemption period and a new certificate being sold every year and having to wait out the 3 years and deal with 3 certificate owners.I can understand someone in AL buying there because it is where they live and they may not want to travel to one of the better states.So why would you be investing remotely in Alabama and not looking personally at what you are buying?

I'd surmise that folks traveling in from outside of town for Derby (and related activities) would want to be in "A" areas (or thereabouts). 

Most of our properties are commercial (medical offices) and I've been having some trouble finding options for a replacement.I've looked into some facilities management companies but it seems like a bit of overkill.

@Tyler Barranger I've had good results with buying bank foreclosed homes, furnishing them from estate auctions, and renting them to travelling workers. 

Lili here, I am a first-time investor looking for a couple different things:1)  A house hack in or near the downtown area.2) Connections to real estate agents, contractors, etc. to start building a network and deciding on a strategy for my REI (wholesaling, BRRRR, etc.)I am a recent college grad (June 2018) with no debt, around ~$20k in savings, very low expenses, and I travel a good amount, so Airbnb can be an option as well.Any and all advice and recommendations are more than welcome!

After BRRRRing that home my wife and I purchased another home that we live in and do STRs to traveling professionals in the area. 

I was thinking more along the lines of a 'travel expense' write-off from the business, ultimately treating my unit as a rent/travel expense/hotel which is why I was getting confused.

@Jonathan Bowen my man, I think we’ve traveled down anrabbitnholenof semantics

@Bosko MijatovicIf you get a single family, consider renting it out by the room to the medical students at COMP. renting by the door will increase your cash flow.

I'm new to the Real Estate world, just back from a 2-year travel around the world.